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Kendrick Johnson, English teacher, Orr Academy High School, AUSL Graduate:
I asked my juniors “What are some of the differences in the first week that you notice?” I was blown away by some of the things they said: “When I walk in your classroom, it’s colorful, you have student work up. Last year, the classrooms were bare.” They didn’t have security and the students say they feel safer now. They feel like they have a voice. They feel the administration has involved them in the decision process.
I grew up six minutes away from Orr. They’re amazed that someone who looks like them, who came from where they came from, has made it. I completely empathize with them.
Classroom management isn’t about how loud you can yell; it’s about consistency and following through. If I say three warnings before I call home, you better believe I will call home. I let them know it’s not personal. If you’re late, don’t come to my class without a pass.
I have routines galore. Sometimes I even forget them but they remind me. They say, “Excuse me, Mr. Johnson, we haven’t gone over our objectives today.”
I asked my students how many of them want to go to college. Nearly all of them raise their hands. I set up the class like a college course, with a syllabus and everything. We did a college essay unit. I try to make it as authentic as possible. I tell them “Everything we’re doing is preparing you for life outside of school walls. Even if you’re not going to college, you’ll fill out a job application, you’ll write memos.” I have to make it tangible for them. I go out of my way to make it real for them.
I noticed my students were lackadaisical with their work and turning it in. One student turned in a paper, and it was typed, but he got an F because of the content. He said, “I turned it in, why did I get an F?” Last year, if it was turned in, they got credit for it. I told him “You don’t get credit just for turning it in. You have to meet my standards. I will work with you to help you get there.” The students are not used to teachers being as involved as we are.
We prepare them for the real world. The world keeps on going and it’s not going to stop for you, even if your mother isn’t home, or your father is in jail. |
